Hello and thank you

[chriss]

Hello everyone my name is Chris and i'm from the netherlands. I have been vaping and i am smoke free for 5 months now.

I have decided to give DIY mixing a try so i bought some VG, PG, 72mg AG nicotine base, and flavoring concentrates. 
Since i like American brands i use Mount Baker Vapor flavorings. I have been told they use 20% flavoring concentrate as a standard for their juices (this is without their flavor shots).
Since i have no idea how many percentage a flavor shot of them is i just assume it would be 1% of extra flavoring with each shot (they go up to 5 shots).
I am not a fan of big throat hits and i like my vapes to be smooth so i always go for high VG levels.
I mixed my first 30ml bottle juice as: 8.333% Nicotine (72mg AG base), 68.667% VG, 23% flavor (100% PG based), which comes down to 23% PG/77%VG, 6mg nic.

Now here is my question, the flavor of my first attempt e-juice was pretty good straight away without any steeping but it was also a bit harsh, harsher then what i am used to when i buy their juices pre mixed with 3 flavor shots included.
The way i understood it was the higher the nic and PG levels the harsher your liquid will get, which is not the case with my first mix since i only have 23%PG and 6mg nic.
So can it be when using too much flavoring concentrate it will make your e-liquid more harsh ? 

Sorry for the long story and thanks in advance for any reply's.

[Romney]

Hi chriss,

[igual]

Hi if you tried the liquid straight away it could be likely that it needs a steep.
Most liquids will benefit from a minimum of a few days step being shaken daily.
Custards/desert type Vapes can take a month or more steeping.
Which flavour was it you mixed up?

[chriss]

The first one i tried was strawberry, the second one was cinnamon roll. Both with the same levels and both were a bit more harsh then i am used to.

[Deleted]

Hi and chriss ... i also ordered from a french website few days ago some Mount Baker RY4 concentrate (50ml) and some unflavored liquid base (500 ml) . IMO is better to start with 10% flavor and you can add more later ( same as nicotine lvl ) ,leave the juice to step for at least 1 week and taste....if is not ok ,add 3-4% more concentrate leave few more days and taste again ....alnd please tell us more details ( tank , vv ,vw ,rez coil )

[chriss]

I used a Nautilus mini, 1.8ohm, at 10 watts on a itaste svd.

[giles]

chriss

My best guess is that it needs more steeping. If that failed I'd try messing about with the power, and if that failed I'd think about mixing some smoother flavour in or trying a different supplier.

[chykensa]

Hi chriss and welcome to the forum. You may find that the steeping will mellow out flavours - if you have been buying juices from the States, they will be at least 2 weeks old by the time they reach you even if they were freshly mixed before dispatch.
I would leave your mixes for a week at least before trying them - you should notice quite a difference. Also, remember that you can always add more concentrate but once it's in you can't take it out!

[hijack]

Hi chriss
I would let it steep for a week or 2 then try it out.
I am finding most fruit or sweet based flavours are good at 20%, but tabacco flavours use a lot less, under 10%.
If you still find it harsh in a week or 2 then you can try adding some MTS Vape Wizard which is used to smooth out the flavours a bit, you only need 1-2%, so it goes a long way.

[chriss]

Thank you for the warm welcome ! So 23-25% flavoring isn't too much flavoring per se ?

[hijack]

As im fairly new to mixing myself ill tag our resident mixing god Perpetua. She can offer great advice for you.

[Perpetua]

Welcome chriss.

I also think your mixes need more time to steep/infuse . . . Cinnamon Danish type flavours for example, I leave for 4-6weeks before using. Many of those contain custard ' notes ' - a flavour doesn't have to be called a Custard of some description to contain them. As a result, it will take some time for the harsh edges to blend.

As hijack says, there are also additives available to smooth out a flavour - FlavourArts Vape Wizard & TPA's Smooth are two.

Don't forget when you buy ready made eliquid, it has had some steeping time before it reaches you as Andy mentions, 23-25% isn't excessive depending on the flavouring used and your individual tastes. Many of Mt Baker's range are FlavorWest concentrates I understand.

I would also find 10watts a little on the high side for a 1.8ohm coil, so would try starting at 7.5-8 watts to see if that makes any difference for you.

[Roscopecotrain]

Hello and welcome to aaec.

Sent from me from some far away land.

[igual]

On average 10-20% flavouring is normal range this will depend on many factors VG/pg ratio nic strength h and most important personal preference
For example myself and many others mix red Astaire concentrate @20% yet I know anouther member that mixes @8% taste is very subjective.

Some concentrates only need 1 - 2 % for example cupcake world cream and the chefs vapour rebranded range is incredibly strong I made watermelon wow 5% and its Vape able but would be better at 4%.
On the flip side cupcake world butterscotch I mix at 38%.
A good guide as to how strong a neat concentrate is put a drop on finger and test, this will give you a gauge of where to start.
Its easier to add more concentrate than to dilute accurately.
A rule of thumb for unknown start at 12-15% then go from there.
As mentioned if they don't mellow after a steep get some MTS vapewiz. Or TPA smooth is worth looking at as well.

[PinkyPuff]

Hi and welcome chriss